In most cases, the goal of dental treatment is to save a tooth and preserve your smile. However, in rare cases tooth removal is necessary to safeguard your oral health. There are certain situations in which you may need an extraction to maintain a healthy smile and to avoid serious complications. We always use local anesthetic, along with sedation, to ensure the procedure is comfortable.
When Do You Need an Extraction?
- Serious Infection/Abscess: If possible, we try to address an infection or abscess with a root canal, which allows our team to preserve your tooth. However, once the infection or abscess causes the tooth to die then removal is needed to prevent infection from reaching surrounding teeth. We can then discuss tooth replacement options.
- Wisdom Teeth: Often, when your wisdom teeth erupt in your late teens or early 20s they can become impacted, leading to a risk of misalignment, infection, and damaged teeth. However, we can remove these additional molars if necessary before they cause problems with your smile.
- Broken/Fractured Teeth: If your teeth are damaged severely enough that a crown or bonding can’t help then we can remove the tooth and replace it with a lifelike prosthetic, such as a bridge or implant.
- Advanced Gum Disease: In the advanced stages gum disease can cause the connective tissue between the teeth and gums to dissolve. Eventually, the teeth can become damaged and weakened until extraction is crucial. We can also recommend treatment to help manage the disease and prevent further tooth loss.
If you have any questions about extractions, or if you would like to schedule a visit, then please contact our office today at (847) 230-9703.